| Issue #50, March 23, 2007 |
Starting The Season On Time!
Tips And Tricks To Get Your Boat In The Water On The North Fork
By Bill Lieblein
Planning for St. Patrick’s Day activities is a sure sign that the start of boating is just around the corner. In fact, if you are an avid boater or hope to become one, it is high time you’ve made arrangements for getting your boat in smooth working order. With the advent of more intricate engines and the lack of free time, most of the prep work is now by professionals. But even they need a little heads up time to schedule all the boats for a timely spring launch. One of the things ownership entails is the yearly maintenance of your investment. As in other things in life, preventative maintenance extends the usefulness of an object, but in the case of boating it also ensures more useable boating time. You sure don’t want to have down time later for the cost of a fix now. The season is too precious to do repairs after it’s in full swing.
The following procedures are recommended to maintain your boat in general and alert you to potential problems and/or to insure a problem free season, according to Will Lieblein, General Manager at Port of Egypt Marine, out in Southold, NY. Check your gear case and /or crankcase oil levels before launching. If your engine has a bad gasket, you could have a leak during the winter, that if undetected in the spring, could lead to a bad lower unit. There is also the chance that air bubbles rising during the winter could keep the oil below the recommended level setting for the gearcase. Adding even a few ounces doesn’t take that long and then you know you are topped off properly.
Keep an eye on expanding gas, sometimes the boat is put away with too much gas and when it warms up in the spring, the gas seeps out of the gas fill or gas vent. This happens more often than you think. Check thru hull seacocks for proper handle position and MAKE SURE THE DRAIN PLUG IS IN! Have the battery(s) fully charged. Remove and clean the battery posts and terminals. Clean the wire and cable terminals, install and secure them properly, then spray the terminals with Proclean. Test run the engine and check engine temperature. Note all the gauge readings. Check the remote control and steering operation. Bay test and check all accessories including the bilge pump auto float switch. Check the warning horn system. Add ring free to the gas. If you do your own work, complete that list. If you authorize work don’t skip in these areas. If you don’t want to have down time during the season this is not the time to skimp.
Have the boat cleaned properly. This means cleaning and waxing using a wheel so the product is worked into the fiberglass. Like anything else experts have their favorite products and methods to do the job right. If you are doing it yourself, even though it takes more time and effort, use a paste wax to get the longest lasting finish. If the boat is not too chalky or relatively new, then a liquid type wax is all right.
There is more direct sunlight on the top deck and gunnels so spend adequate time there. Clean the vinyl with a spot cleaner for tough stains and a milder vinyl cleaner for large areas. Apply a sealer with UV protectorant in it. For cloth cushions follow the old rule of testing a small spot first, then use a bleach applied with a toothbrush or cut off paintbrush. This allows a slightly stiff brush but not enough to harm the cloth. Rinse well as you finish block areas.
On the brightwork use “Nevedull” or “Flitz” style cleaner protectors. Remember that soap will later remove the polish so rinse the t-top and rails after every use. And reapply protective coating if you have used a soap cleaner.
NY Laws require a pesticide permit to apply paint. The whole procedure has some toxic aspects so don’t take this into your own hands. There is a reason they require yearly update classes and monitoring. Let the experts take care of the painting of your hull. Get started early to plan a great season and remember that every day is a day closer to Spring!
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